My Ideal Library

In my ideal library, materials would be searched in a virtual setting with titles/partial titles, author(s), and keyword searches with spell check and vocal readers available for illiterate/dyslexic users. Materials would be shelved in “new” sections (about 6 months since purchase date) and then by type of material (book, CD, DVD, audio book, language (bilingual in a separate section), etc.), with author/artist as a secondary sorting device, title and publication date. The biggest problem with this is that it would lead to lower browsing ability…but people would be able to see (by keyword searching) where materials involving those keywords would be. The second biggest problem? Getting users to be able to use keyword and Boolean searching effectively.

I believe that users tend to browse new materials the most, with DVDs and the like coming in a close second. The other place that people tend to want to browse is for non-fiction.

Signed copy of Unshelved (part 2)

And again, this is awesome. (see my earlier post) this is the third collection, and it is also signed! (It says "It's a raid!")

Signed copy of Unshelved

This is awesome! I InterLibrary Loaned a collection of web comics...Unshelved! And the first book I got, Unshelved (I also got collections 2 and 3), is signed! (It says "Read Responsibly.")

Librarians and Information

I love Neil Gaiman for the above quote! (He's the guy that wrote the book Coraline (that the movie was based off of) and the Sandman graphic novels, as well as many others!) (check out his website at http://neilgaiman.com/)

This quote stands for everything that a librarian strives to do for their users. Yes, you may be able to go online and look things up for yourself and yes, you may actually be able to find information on what you're researching. But...will you find the correct answer to your question(s)? And will you be able to find the most accurate results? Or the most relevant? Sadly, probably not. Search engines return any web page that has your search terms in it. This can lead to something called information overload...and half the hits aren't what you're looking for anyway.

Librarians, on the other hand, receive special training on keywords and how to search for information. We are able to bridge the gap (as best we can) between users and information. We may have to take down your number or your email address so we can get back to you (some reference questions require more research time then others), but we will do our best to find an answer (or multiple answers!) to your question.

And that is why this quote is perfect.

Unshelved

If you haven't heard of the web comic, Unshelved, I am not surprised. Most people haven't! However, now that you have...check it out! Seriously, if you enjoy libraries (especially if you work in a public library), you will love Unshelved. I am subscribed to the web comic version of Unshelved, and it never fails to make me laugh (usually at work).

You can check out the books through your local library, or see them online at www.unshelved.com (you can also subscribe to the web comic version and have it sent to your email).

To give you an idea of what it's about, here's an excerpt from volume four, Book Club:

"Dewey, young adult librarian at the Mallville Public Library, has an encyclopedic knowledge of pop culture and a snappy answer to every stupid question. His coworker Colleen struggles against newfangled technology and is raising her adopted daughter Doreen on a strict diet of reference books and classification systems. Idealistic, health-conscious children's librarian Tamara writes and mourns worn-out stuffed animals. She is secretly adored by Buddy the Book Beaver, summer reading mascot turned library page. their beleaguered manager Mel is at her most effective when ordering office supplies."

What not to do: installment 1

Sometimes, we damage things. It happens to every one, don't worry! But when that thing doesn't belong to you...then it gets messy. If it's a library book, please do not try to fix it yourself! The library has trained professionals to deal with damaged books and other materials (and most of the time they can fix it!). Usually, trying to mend a damaged library book yourself leads to more damage because common household products aren't meant for books (this is why special vendors make money off of libraries: they have special tape, special glue, special adhesives, etc.--all meant for book repairs). Also, most libraries will charge for materials that are returned damaged.

Below are some examples of what not to do to library materials:

This book was returned with many many scribbles...I imagine a young child got a hold of it! Always keep library materials up and away from curious youngsters and pets: turning your back for even a minute can lead to a damaged book! (I've seen many scribbles in a variety of pen, marker, pencil, etc.)

This book had pages falling out of it...the library wouldn't have charged the patron for the pages falling out (spines break and pages come loose over time, especially with high usage that libraries tend to have on their books). Unfortunately, this patron tried to fix the book by stapling the pages back in. Instead of simple fix, this turned into a labor intensive project where the librarian had to obtain another copy of the book, photocopy the pages that had been damaged and adhere the new pages to the book. This method is a drain on resources and staff time, but was the only way to fix it. Also, we charged the patron for the damage that was done to the book...we wouldn't have if it would have been returned with the loose pages. :(

The Underground Library

My good friend and co-worker, Stacy Strain (who is also planning on getting an MLS), found this website!

www.thezombieclub.org/The_Underground_Library.html

A little bit about it...survivalist technology, banned books, underground education, etc. Very cool and very much for fun! :) Enjoy :)

Bibliophiles and the Web (for Teens)

Books and the Internet: Websites to Know

The following is a list of websites geared towards book lovers.

Each website includes the URL for future reference, as well as a short blurb about it.

1) http://www.randomhouse.com/teens/

This website is specifically geared towards teens and includes author pages and a variety of newsletters you can subscribe to. This site is specific to Random House, so not all teen books or authors will be covered. However, it is a good starting point if you’re looking for something new to read or are interested in a specific author.

2) http://gplteensblog.wordpress.com/

This website is the Goshen Public Library’s blog for teens. A lot of the blog is for teen programs and interesting, random items on the Internet that may interest teens. However, there are also “teen read, teen reviewed” entries, as well as highlights on what new teen books are available at the library.

3) http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/yalsa.cfm

This is a site provided by the American Library Association (ALA). There are booklists, both recommended by adults for teens and also by teens for teens. This is a great place to look for booklists, especially if you’re interested in reading books about a specific subject (for example: vampires).

4) http://www.teenreads.com/

This website has a plethora of information on books that are written for teens. This includes (but is not limited to): authors, books, series, books that are also movies, and books that are coming out soon. This site also has a newsletter subscription option.

5) http://books.google.com/

This is not a teen-specific site. However, it has list upon list of books listed by genre. It’s a good browsing site, as you never know what you will be able to find! It also doesn’t include just books, there are magazines and other printed materials available for browsing and also some free downloads.

6) http://www.champaign.org/teenspace/read_watch_listen/good_teen_

books.html

This is another site ran by a library that has many booklists for teen readers. There are male-specific and female-specific lists, as well as genre lists. There are also links to other sites for teen book lovers, as well as teen reviews on books.

7) http://www.champaign.org/teenspace/read_watch_listen/good_teen_

books.html

Cheryl Rainfield is a young adult author who got started by reading and reviewing other people’s work. She also makes a distinction between middle school and high school books when she writes reviews. An interesting feature of this site is that she has a place for writers, also.

8) http://www.booklistonline.com/

?gclid=CPiCoeiDt6ECFRBx5Qod8EKDAQ

This site is also not teen-specific, but it is useful for looking up books and reading reviews of them. There are also links to booklists by genre, as well as booklists according to awards that they have received.

9) http://www.bookspot.com/youngadult.htm

This is a site that not only has booklists and awarded titles for teens but also includes where to buy a variety of books. My personal favorite feature of this site is “Reading Rants,” which shows books for teens that don’t usually show up in regular teen booklists.

10) http://www.shelfari.com/

This is, by far, one of my favorite sites. This is a place for anyone to read and review books. It’s easy-to-use and it allows you, as a reader, to connect to others like you, see what others think about the books you’re reading and allows you to keep track of the books you’re reading and favorite titles/authors. Goshen Public Library has a shelfari at http://www.shelfari.com/o1514604675.

Banned Books

There is so much to say about banned (and challenged) books. First, I would like to invite anyone thinking about challenging a book (for any reason) to stop. Think about what you're doing. You are taking away someone else's freedom to think for themselves. If a person (no matter how young they are) find subject matter/language/violence/etc. offensive, then it should be their choice to read or not read it.

Banning books leads people to believe that they are "dirty," "wrong," or "perverse" in some way, when in reality, that is just an opinion. It's not fact. Everything from The Holy Bible to And Tango Makes Three has been banned. There is no real good reason to ban books. Saying that, there is the case of children.

I personally believe that parents shouldn't ban their children from reading. Sheltering them from any existence that is outside of what they've grown up with causes them to grow up not knowing about things that exist in everyday mainstream life. When they go out into the real world (be it public school, college, work, etc.)...they will go into that with little or no knowledge about people that either are different or think differently then they do. And sometimes it's such a culture shock that they can't get along with others because of it.

However, I do suggest that parents, when they find materials their children are reading objectionable, the parents read those materials as well and have a discussion with their children about them. Chances are that your kids already know that the materials could be found offensive to some people and are either reading the materials because they are interested in the subject matter or interested in forming their own opinions about the materials (or maybe it's just a good read!). Never doubt the intelligence of your children.

Finally, by challenging books and getting them banned/moved to a a separate/special/restricted location, you are taking away not only your freedom to read these materials, but everyone else's as well. Just because you find the materials offensive doesn't mean that someone else does. Allow people to make the judgement themselves.

For more information on Banned Books week or banned/challenged books, visit the American Library Association's (ALA) website! http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/index.cfm

On a more fun note: Ways to celebrate Banned Books Week!

For librarians: create a banned book display in your library and decorate it accordingly. Caution tape, spray paint...visit

http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek/ideasandresources/display_ideas/index.cfm

for some great ideas. (My public library did a YA banned books display with caution tape and spray paint, as well as reasons that books are banned this year!)

For everyone: read a banned book! Go to your public library and ask about banned/challenged books, or find your own at http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/challengedclassics/reasonsbanned/index.cfm

Here is how I celebrated banned books week this year...I created my own banned books tie using a plain white tie and Sharpies Stain markers! (the picture at the beginning of this post is it)

A Little About Me

First, I am a self-proclaimed library geek. I love libraries: I love the way they're organized and the people in them. And I love books: the way they smell, the way they look...what's not to love about them? But my favorite part about libraries? The knowledge. Librarians are the gatekeepers of knowledge: the organizers of it and the connection between the knowledge and the people seeking it. In short, librarians are the best part of a library.

Second, all the boring details about who I am:
My name is Tabi. I am twenty-three years old and live somewhere in Northern Indiana. I have worked in libraries since I was sixteen. I was a page (reshelver) for four years in children's and audio visual in a public library. I am currently working in a public library at the main circulation desk part-time. I am also completing a 144 hour internship at an academic library for the completion of a Library Technical Assistant (LTA) degree through Ivy Tech. After that, I plan on getting a Bachleor's (probably liberal arts) (maybe from IUSB) and then a Master's in Library Science. All this should be accomplished by the age of thirty!

I also volunteer at my local community theater. I have been around for a year and am in the process of moving up from Box Office Manager (staff) to Assistant Financial Director (Executive staff). So I'm doing two jobs at once (not suprising about me...I try to stay busy always). I have also stage managed twice (this is what got the higher ups interested in me: they saw how crazy organized I am).

Fun facts about me: I like to think, read, write...I'm seldom passionate about things but when I am, I completely geek out (hence the name of this blog). I also get bored with my hair fairly often and change the color a lot (or I'll cut it). I'm also crazy organized (anyone who is busy should be!). I am a terrible speller and have trouble pronouncing words (although I'll know what they mean).

What this blog will be about: I will have some random fun anecdotes about library life and working in the library and observations about such things. I will also be posting part of my weekly journals for my library practicum (more interesting then they sound). But mainly I'll be posting my thoughts about all things library: book reviews, librarianship, library school/classes, etc.